Public defence from the Department of Art and Media, MFA Jaana Okulov

The title of the thesis: Quantifying Qualia – Aesthetic Machine Attention in Resisting the Objectifying Tendency of Thought

Doctoral student: Jaana Okulov
Opponent: Associate Professor Elizabeth Jochum, Aalborg University
Custos: Professor Anniina Suominen, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Department of Art and Media

These images contain nothing. They might feel suffocating as the mind’s tendency to seek semantic meaning is so persistent. 

Language-based approaches currently drive the development of machine learning. The thesis recognizes this perspective on information as a worldview that constructs a categorical perception of incidents. The concept of aesthetic machine attention is introduced in the thesis as an ethical alternative to invite perceptual and interpretational variations from phenomena. 

When aesthetic attention takes place, where does one turn when ordinary meanings are lost? Is it a place of safety, comfort, uncertainty, or chaos? Is it a queer position, outside categories and the normal?

Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/doc_public/eonly/riiputus/

Contact information:

Doctoral theses in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/54

Zoom Quick Guide: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/zoom-quick-guide